I had a conversation today with a gentleman who wasn't exactly old but older than me. That's getting rarer these days. But for the sake of this story, we'll call him the old guy.
It was a light-hearted, off-the-cuff, casual, small-talk kind of conversation at first but it eventually turned more personal until he said something that really got my wheels turning. After the fact, I stopped and thanked God for this man and his words.
We talked about the weather, what part of town you from, how the cooler summer's been good for his damaters (tomatoes), his gout, the wife's arthritis, and other TMI topics. But, inevitably, he asked what all people ask when they meet a thirty-seven year old minus a wedding ring.
"You not married?"
"Nope. I mean, No, sir."
"Hmph. Why not? You think you're better than the rest of us? (a small grin forms) No use in tryin' to be happy your whole life."
(I laugh along with him for courtesy)
"Naw, I'm just kidding. I've found nothing better than marriage. I couldn't imagine who I'd be without the missus. You find yourself a good, Christian gal who's a good Christian and everything you thought you ever knew will change."
I have to admit that was refreshing to hear. Most of the time these days people won't even talk about their spouse without griping and complaining and warning of the pitfalls of tying yourself down. Walk a mile in these moccasins, that's all I'm saying.
"No kids either?"
"No....sir."
"Boy you just missed it all, huh?" (Gee, thanks. Jerk.)
"Well, I hope not. Just learning what to look for, I guess. Slow learner."
"Let me tell you what I love about being a father. I spent years raising my gals to love the Lord and make good decisions. Then they grew up and went out on their own and I prayed every day that when they made mistakes and learned the hard lessons, which I knew they would, they would recognize it and not be too proud to admit it. 'Cause when they come running back home after realizing that they didn't have life all figured out and the answers aren't always there, the feeling is indescribable. Your heart breaks because theirs is broken, but you're happy because they figured out who's always there to take 'em back."
Shortly after this, I excused myself and laughed (and cried a little) out loud at the beautiful simplicity and profound wisdom in what he said. I replayed what he said over and over in my head until it finally sounded something like this:
"Let Me tell you what I love about being the Father. I spend years raising My children to love Me and rely on Me to make good decisions. Then they grow up and go out on their own and I wait for the day when they realize their mistakes, which they will, and they humble themselves and admit it to Me. 'Cause when they come running back home after realizing that they didn't have life all figured out and the answers aren't always for them to know, the feeling is indescribable. My heart breaks because theirs is broken, but I'm happy because they figured out that I'm always here to take them back."
Have a great day.
